LOST THOUGHTS OF WAR RETURN: A DIARY OF THE MIND

Tanka 2 and Tanka 3

Memory: New York 7 December 1941

what did father say

when his boys were sent away

would any come back ~

he smiled mostly for mother ‑‑

do not fear, he consoled us

but Dad's teeth were clenched

his hands shook as he looked at us

take care of yourselves ~

were there also tears he hid?

we did not show him we saw

The sudden attack on Pearl Harbor was a difficult time for most American families, and I recall how we reacted when it occurred. The four boys of military age in our family who were certain of induction got together to discuss how best to prepare our parents when we were ready to leave. We first spoke with our father and could see he was readying himself for our departure. He told us he was mostly concerned for our mother who would surely be frightened, and suggested we comfort her. But we could see that he was also holding back his own sorrow and fears for his sons. He tried to make light of the event – he glanced at Mother, and slyly said that the Army kitchens would probably provide better food than we had at home. But when his time came to say goodbye to each of us, we could see his smiles had mostly been contrived in order to console Mother, for his attempts to control his own emotions were apparent to us, and we all made light of our leaving, despite our own concerns for them and one another.

Sir Sidney Weinstein

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The philosopher's response:

There are many unusual stories that have come from the many conflicts in human history. No doubt many people thought about the pilots who came from the sky to change the course of history. One such pilot was Commander Mitsuo Fuchida [1902‑1976]. He led the air attack on Pearl Harbor. After the war he spent a lot of time in North America. He became a US citizen in 1966.

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"The woman was also the mother of Akiko's fiance'. Akiko had realized that the woman had something to say to Akiko's father, so she had stepped outside to leave them alone. The boy was so fussy, she had taken him out into the garden with her. The boy was the youngest brother of her fiancé. The boy stuck his hand in the bucket and stirred the water. "Sister, the boats are having a war." He marveled at the [bamboo_leaf] boats swirling about. Akiko stepped away to wring out a summer kimono that she had been washing. Then she hung it out to dry. The war was over but her fiance' had not yet returned.... Akiko wondered if her fiancé had died in the war."

"Bamboo_Leaf Boats" [1950], Yasunari Kawabata:

Palm of the Hand Stories. ISBN 0 8048‑1576‑3

from distant oceans

the sorrowful wing'd word sped ‑

the many will not return

Hugh Bygott